The Best Washi Scissors for Hairdressers
Washi Scissor Company was founded in 1988 by Marc Milman and is based in Hobe Sound, Florida. The range uses Hitachi Japanese steel across its cutting models, climbing from 440C at the entry tier through VG-10 to ATS-314 at the flagship level. Five picks here cover $139 to $649, including a double-swivel ergonomic model and the Ultimate Silk, which carries Washi's Anti-Push edge — the house signature on the premium cutting line.
What are the best Washi scissors for professional hairdressers?
The Cotton Candy, around $139, is Washi's accessible 440C entry scissor. The Sable Master, around $299, is the Master line 440C at a higher production standard in two sizes. The 720 Double Swivel, around $329, puts a double-swivel mechanism in a single size for stylists managing joint strain. The Ultimate Silk, around $499, is the VG-10 model with Washi's Anti-Push edge across four sizes from 5.5 to 7.0 inch. The AX Ultimate, around $649, is the ATS-314 flagship in three sizes.
Two picks use 440C (Cotton Candy and Sable Master); the 720 Double Swivel lists Japanese Steel with a swivel handle; the Ultimate Silk and AX Ultimate step up to VG-10 and ATS-314 respectively. The Anti-Push edge appears on the Ultimate Silk — Washi’s name for the convex cutting edge technology on its premium VG-10 model. All five are made in the USA; confirm steel and manufacturing details on the Washi brand website.
Verified Jun 2026
The picks, at a glance
Product photos from the ScissorPedia catalogue; see each product page for provenance.
Five Washi picks from $139 to $649
| Attribute | Washi Cotton Candy Washi | Washi Sable Master Washi | Washi 720 Double Swivel Washi | Washi Ultimate Silk Washi | Washi AX Ultimate Washi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$139 | US$299 | US$329 | US$499 | US$649 |
| Price tier | Entry-level | Mid-range | Mid-range | Premium | Premium |
| Steel | 440C Stainless Steel | 440C | Not listed | VG-10 | ATS-314 |
| Made in | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA |
| Handle | Offset | Offset | Swivel | Offset | Offset |
| Blade type | Convex | Convex | Convex | Convex | Convex |
| Sizes (in) | 5.5 | 5.5· 6.0 | 5.75 | 5.5· 6.0· 6.5· 7.0 | 5.5· 6.0· 6.25 |
| Product links | View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
All five made in the USA. Steel grades from product pages. Guide prices at time of writing; confirm current figures on each product page.
Washi’s steel progression
Washi is an American scissor brand founded in 1988 by Marc Milman, based in Hobe Sound, Florida. The range uses Hitachi Japanese steel and climbs from 440C at the entry tier through VG-10 to ATS-314 at the premium level. The Anti-Push edge is the house signature on the VG-10 and premium cutting line — the Ultimate Silk product page describes it as convex edge technology suited to slide cutting, point cutting, and scissor-over-comb work.
The five picks below hit the key tiers: 440C at entry and mid, a double-swivel ergonomic option, VG-10 with Anti-Push, and ATS-314 at the top. The 720 Double Swivel earns its spot as a handle-type pick rather than a rung on the steel ladder.
The five picks
1. Washi Cotton Candy (guide price around $139). Washi’s entry-tier 440C cutting scissor: convex edge, offset handle, one size at 5.5 inch. The accessible starting point — 440C at the lowest guide price on this page. Available through Washi Scissor Co., Stay Sharp, and Edgemaster International.
2. Washi Sable Master (around $299). The Master line 440C: cobalt-grade steel, convex edge, offset handle, in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. Same steel family as the Cotton Candy, built to a higher production standard — the product page lists cobalt-grade 440C at this mid-tier price.
3. Washi 720 Double Swivel (around $329). A separate ergonomic track from the standard offset models: Japanese Steel with a swivel thumb that rotates through the cutting stroke, in a single 5.75 inch size — the intermediate length between 5.5 and 6.0. The pick for stylists managing wrist or thumb joint strain who want a Washi with a rotating thumb.
4. Washi Ultimate Silk (around $499). The VG-10 model with the Anti-Push edge: VG-10 cobalt steel, convex, offset handle, in 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 inch. That four-size run is the widest on this page, and the 7.0 inch length covers scissor-over-comb and long-panel work — the most versatile pick here for technique and length coverage. Available through Washi Scissor Co., Stay Sharp, and Edgemaster International.
5. Washi AX Ultimate (around $649). The ATS-314 flagship: cobalt steel rated on the product page for superior edge retention, a tier above the Ultimate Silk’s VG-10. Convex edge, offset handle, in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.25 inch — including a 6.25 intermediate length the other offset picks don’t offer.
How we chose
Each pick lists its steel grade and USA manufacture on the product page. Three steel grades (440C, VG-10, ATS-314), two handle configurations (offset and swivel), and a $139 to $649 spread are covered. The 720 Double Swivel is here for its swivel handle — a distinct ergonomic option beside the offset models — and the Ultimate Silk is the Anti-Push showcase, the VG-10 model where Washi’s house signature appears. Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying.
The wider Washi range
The Washi Diamond Ice (around $229) is a 440C offset scissor with a decorative finish in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The Washi Silver Crown (around $279) puts 440C in a high-polish finish in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The Washi Master Double Swivel (around $395) is a higher-tier double-swivel in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The Washi SmartClik (around $500) adds a multi-position adjustable thumb ring to a VG-10 Cobalt build. Left-handed models — including the Washi Black Star Lefty (around $245) — and the full thinning range are on the Washi brand page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Washi based and what steel does it use?
Washi Scissor Company was founded in 1988 by Marc Milman and is based in Hobe Sound, Florida. The brand uses Hitachi Japanese steel across its professional cutting range — 440C at the entry tier, VG-10 in the mid-to-premium tier, and ATS-314 at the flagship level — and each product page lists the USA as country of manufacture. For full steel specifications and manufacturing details, consult the Washi brand website.
What is Washi's Anti-Push edge?
Anti-Push is Washi’s name for the convex blade technology on the Ultimate Silk and other premium models in the range. The product page describes a razor-sharp convex edge suited to slide cutting, point cutting, and scissor-over-comb work. The anti-push idea is about how the convex geometry moves through hair — the blade shape resists pushing or folding strands, which can create drag and uneven cuts. The exact grinding profile is Washi’s proprietary specification; confirm details on the brand website or product page before buying.
What is a double-swivel scissor?
A double-swivel scissor has both the thumb ring and the finger ring designed to rotate through the cutting stroke — as opposed to a single-swivel, where only the thumb ring rotates. The rotation lets the joints travel in a more natural arc, reducing torsional load during repeated cutting. The Washi 720 Double Swivel carries a swivel thumb design and comes in one size, 5.75 inch. For stylists feeling strain in both the thumb and finger joints, the double-swivel mechanism addresses both sides at once.
What is the difference between the Washi Ultimate Silk and AX Ultimate?
The Ultimate Silk uses VG-10 steel with Washi’s Anti-Push edge, in 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 inch — the widest size run in the Washi cutting range at the premium tier. The AX Ultimate uses ATS-314 cobalt steel in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.25 inch; ATS-314 is a cobalt-enhanced steel capable of reaching higher hardness than standard VG-10, and at $649 against $499 the AX is Washi’s top-tier cutting model by price. Both carry convex edges and offset handles. The choice is between the four-size VG-10 model and the ATS-314 flagship.
Does Washi make left-handed scissors?
Yes. Washi’s catalogue includes left-handed models, including the Black Star Lefty — a dedicated left-handed cutting shear built as a mirror-image scissor, not a swapped-handle right-handed pair. See the Washi brand page for the full left-handed range.
Does Washi make thinning scissors?
Yes. Washi makes thinning and blending shears, including the AX Ultimate Thinner (ATS-314) and the ZAP Master Blender (Hitachi Cobalt). The full thinning range is on the Washi brand page. This roundup covers cutting scissors only.